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Listen up, Smokey and the Bandit fans! FM has gone and released a BLACK version of the 1977 Trans Am! Go figure, they release a red version for Die-Cast Collector Club Exclusive Edition, then repaint it in black (the color of the movie car) for a regular release. Don’t those guys have ANY sense of place? As I wrote in the original review, just what do you get when you order this image? Let’s take a look.
First, it has the expected working suspension—fore and aft. Trunk and interior details are up to par. The 1:24 scale black vinyl seats are a good representation of what the original came with upholstery-wise. The seat belts could have been separate items instead of being molded into the seats though. The dash is clean and crisp, featuring a CB radio. Under-the-hood detailing is excellent, with wires and hoses present. Things don’t look as crisp as some other FM releases, however, but they’re not terrible either. The “shaker” air cleaner is fitted nicely to the hole in the hood but it doesn’t remove like in the ’70 Hemi-‘Cuda. The seams around the hood, doors, and trunk are tight. There are two, removable smoked-glass panels for the “T-top” roof and they fit well. The exterior paint finish and other detailing is generally done well, save for tampo markings in lieu of separate side marker lights and door handles (which are in bas-relief). There are 3-D front fender ports with screens and the “screaming eagle” on the hood stands out well—very sharp. The special mag wheels look good, as do the white-lettered radials.
This image’s few shortcomings do nothing to detract from the muscular lines of the car and the overall crispness of its execution. If The Bandit were to be shrunk down to 1:24 scale, he’d feel right at home behind the wheel. The issue price is $105.00.
(06/16/2004)
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